Raphael Varane of Real Madrid celebrates after score during the Copa del Rey Semi-Final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has earmarked Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane as a potential summer signing, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The Portuguese manager, who recently defended Chelsea’s defensive approach against Liverpool, has made no secret of his desire to add several new signings to his squad in west London, although they are well stocked in terms of central defenders.
However, he knows the French youngster extremely well from his days in charge at the Bernabeu, gave the centre-back his debut for Los Blancos and rates him very highly.
Varane joined Madrid for £10 million in 2011 from Lens and has slowly worked his way into regular contention, although he faces stiff competition from established starters Pepe and Sergio Ramos.
At just 21 years of age he his one of the most promising defenders in world football and would represent an excellent addition for the Blues.
The defender is contracted until 2017 and is unlikely to be allowed to leave on the cheap, especially into the clutches of their former manager.
Meanwhile, Chelsea recently purchased another highly rated defender Kurt Zouma but Mourinho does not appear to be settled with his defensive options and continues to explore options for a long term replacement for John Terry.
Varane’s arrival could also spell the end of David Luiz’s spell with the club, as Barcelona are reportedly interested in his signature.
